15 December 2011

Exciting milestone for TIPS...

We are thrilled to have reached a magic milestone – our 800th Parent Tester has recently joined up and is already testing their first product. Congratulations to Sharon – a special parcel of goodies is on its way to you in Croydon.

1 December 2011

Let the festivities begin!

Like us on Facebook – visit the TIPS Ltd Facebook page: we publish news (including competitions!), information and advice for parents and professionals regularly.

If, like me, you are struggling to come up with present ideas for your little ones then help is at hand! We have lots of ideas and a great selection of goodies to make your loved ones smile.

Our magical picture of a very young TIPS Tester gazing with wonder at her twinkly lit Christmas tree will certainly get you in the mood and maybe you have pictures of your own you would like to share with us (remember we're always on the lookout for these!)... meanwhile this newsletter comes with a delightful set of new photos from TIPS Testers.

www.iaimbabymassage.co.uk a brand new website for mums-to-be and new mums who are interested in baby massage

www.multi-mam.co.uk. Previously known as Bio-Fem, the Multi-Mam® product range was designed to provide complete nipple care for new mums. Not only do we have two sets of Multi-Mam® and Multi-Gyn® products up for grabs but we also have a special discount code (AYSCY304) giving all TIPS Members and Testers a 15% discount on all Multi-Mam® and Multi-Gyn® products until the end of December 2011.

The JaJaJa stories are bi-lingual books with a twist, as they take your child on a learning experience as they read.

King Jack and the Dragon is the delightful new book by Peter Bently and renowned illustrator Helen Oxenbury. This lovely rhyming story is the perfect bedtime tale with all the ingredients children love.

Where has my little girl gone? This thought provoking book is about how the press and media promote sexualisation and peer pressure and how this can have a negative effect on the emotional development of young girls.

Still on the subject of growing up too soon, we have reviewed the wonderfully innovative tween doll called Notalie®. Girls as young as 7 often reject conventional dolls and miss out on essential creative play. We are thrilled to be able to offer two little girls the chance to win their very own Notalie® in our e-newsletter competition.

As well as our regular mix of event, forum, video clip, articles, DVD, and featured TIPS® award-winning products, we have a review of the Alternative Families Show (as promised in e-newsletter 23) and Top Tips (including Top Treat and Top Value). We have also included our first reviews of 2 clever card games which will make perfect stocking fillers at this time of year.

Our latest My Story follows a new mother as she struggles to establish breastfeeding after a traumatic delivery and a rare case of breast refusal. This mum's determination to feed her baby is truly inspiring. Her story provides a fascinating insight into the practice of EPing. Last but not least, we know you will enjoy reading part 8 of our Diary of a Student Midwife.

Don't forget to check out our 12 mini-competitions with a total prize value of over £550! Get your entries in to Brigitte and you too could be a winner.

Remember if you are not 'in' you can't win!

1 November 2011

Win a Nature Babycare Starter Pack

Naty news...

The design for Naty nappy packs is changing! It will include the beautiful imagery they've been using for the last few years, but information will be added so mums know why it is better to use eco-friendly nappies for their babies.

Naty are also improving their lovely toiletries and adding a moisturising wash to the range - this should be on the shelves in the New Year. Meanwhile the company continue to research new ways of improving the biodegradable content of their nappies.

Naty recently launched a new product: the lovely super soft 100% organic bunny, completely safe from birth (see picture). Do also look out for the soon to be launched organic cotton clothing range. This has been designed for children from birth to 4 years old and will be available to buy online. The clothes are minimalistic in colour with a timeless yet contemporary Scandinavian twist (see pictures on the right).

Naty are working hard on the launch of the new Ambassador programme. The points system that has been running for the last year was wound up in August and the new system should launch in November. Unlike their competitors, Naty can't afford huge marketing campaigns so they rely on satisfied customers who rate their nappies to spread the word. People who do this will get a chance to try the nappies for free and the Ambassadors will have the opportunity to buy the new clothing range at heavily discounted prices. Keep checking the website (www.naty.com) for more information about this in the coming months.

To find out more about Nature Babycare products or about the Ambassador programme go to: www.naty.com

For a chance to win 1 of 3 Naty Starter Kits including newborn nappies, baby wipes, baby oil, baby lotion, organic cotton bib and money-off voucher email the word ‘Naty’ to
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by25 November 2011. We will contact the winners by the end of November

1 October 2011

Win a gift set of Organic at Heart products!

Sally Robinson, skincare entrepreneur behind the now famous Waitrose Baby Bottom Butter has just launched Organic at Heart – her own brand of mummy and baby skincare products. You can buy the products in Waitrose and online at www.organicatheart.co.uk

The 5 products in the new Organic at Heart range are at least 99% natural and contain English home-grown and farm sourced ingredients as well as mostly fairly-traded and certified organic oils. Organic at Heart only purchase from farms who adopt farming practice that helps preserve local wildlife (for example bee-friendly projects) and trying to minimise the carbon footprint from field to shelf.

1 September 2011

We hope you enjoyed your summer holidays and maybe even caught a glimpse of the sun? We went to Holland where the weather was cooler and wetter than in Scotland! The highlight of our trip was a visit to the Anne Frank House Museum in Amsterdam which was deeply moving. If you are planning a trip, remember to book your tickets in advance to avoid the queues. You can find out more online at: www.annefrank.org (this excellent website is available in six languages).

Please send us your 2011 summer holiday highlights and maybe we can share some of your pictures in a future issue... meanwhile we have a delightful new set of new photos sent in by our TIPS Testers.

Our featured website is Hanzak.com founded by postnatal illness expert Elaine Hanzak. She provides a one-stop resource covering all aspects of postnatal illnesses from the commonly experienced condition of baby blues to the rare puerperal psychosis. As well as being a poignant reminder of how devastating this illness can be, Elaine Hanzak 's book Eyes without Sparkle is full of hope.

We have reviewed four books for you - two of which are highly topical as our children return to school for the autumn term. The Starting School Survival Guide provides a child-centred but parent-friendly guide. It's about the ups and downs a child may go through when they start school and also throughout primary school. Middle School – the worst years of my life is the latest block buster by James Patterson. This book was reviewed by two eleven year olds who thoroughly enjoyed every page. We have also reviewed the latest addition to the Which? Made Easy series covering laptops and mobile devices and the highly emotive Mexican Takeaway, charting the real-life journey of a Francesca and Rick as they try to become the first couple to adopt a child from Mexico.

As well as our regular mix of upcoming events, appeal, video clip, article, DVD, CD review and featured product, we have a new Daddy Blog and Top Tips features (including Top Treat and Top Value).

The new eagerly anticipated My Story is about the incredible diary of a mum's recovery after a vaginal hysterectomy. This must-read account of the highs and lows of this common but often traumatic procedure includes the resumption of sexual relations. This is a brave and powerful story by one of our loyal Parent Testers which you won't want to miss! Last but not least, we know you will enjoy reading part 7 of our Diary of a Student Midwife.

Don’t forget to check out our newsletter competition for a chance to win a week’s holiday for six in Cornwall worth £299 and 10 other mini-competitions with a total prize value of over £550! So get your entries in to Brigitte and you could be a winner.

Remember if you are not ‘in’ you can’t win!

20 August 2011

CLIC Sargent Scotland Ball 2011

After last year’s hugely successful inaugural James Bond Ball, organised by M&M Theatrical Productions, there were high hopes for our 2011 event. The 400+ guests attending this action-packed event were not disappointed with entertainment the whole night through including brand new flash mob IMPROMPTUNE plus star guest’s Dean Park and X Factors Joe McElderry.

A silent auction, prize raffle, special Omega Seamaster Watch Draw, interspersed with headline auction spots throughout the evening helped to beat last year’s total of £25K for CLIC Sargent.

A great night was had by all and the Ayrshire Fundraising Committee would like to extend their grateful thanks to everyone who helped make this event happen. Proceeds will go to help children and families affected by cancer.

1 June 2011

We would like to wish all our members a very happy holiday season. Whether you are travelling to far away destinations or staying at home, we have another bumper issue to keep you going through to September.

Our first treat is a stunning photo by acclaimed photographer Dan Streck. Taken when he was visiting the African Kruger National Park, the photo shows the moment an elephant gives birth in water.

We have included a special section devoted to all things breastfeeding with news about this year's National Breastfeeding Awareness Week, breastfeeding advice, featured book, website, useful tips and lots of breastfeeding goodies to give away.

In this issue we feature 2 websites. The first websiteMumsDateDads (www.mumsdatedads.co.uk) is the first dating site we have reviewed. This site is specifically aimed at single parents or people who are happy to date someone with children. We have3 one-month memberships up for grabs (worth £19.99 each). Check out mini-competition 1 to find out how you can enter.

The second website (www.worldsapart.co.uk) is for Worlds Apart® - a toy manufacturer based in Cornwall. Their ranges promote role play for your children. We have 2 innovative play sets (worth £80) to give away - something sure to keep your little treasures happy for hours. Don't forget to check our e-newsletter competition to see how you can enter!

We have reviewed a bookcalled Baby's here! Who does what? This is a light-hearted look at parenting with a special emphasis on working together as a couple. The book is full of useful tips on how to split the work without splitting up! Author Duncan Fisher OBE is the founder of the Fatherhood Institute. He also runs the organisation Family Info.

As well as our regular mix of upcoming events, charity, articles, DVD review and TIPS award winning product, we also have a new forum review. Find out about our Top Tips,Top Treat and Top Value products. We also have a delightful new set of photos from TIPS Testers.

The new eagerly anticipated My Story, is about an older mum's struggle to carry her precious baby to term after suffering a succession of miscarriages. Last but not least, we know you will enjoy reading part 6 of our Diary of a Student Midwife.

Check out our 11 (yes 11!) mini-competitions with a total prize value of over £400! So get your entries in to Brigitte and you could be a winner.

Remember if you are not 'in' you can't win!

May 2011

All the back issues of the TIPS e-newsletter are now available on this website.

Just go to our e-newsletters section and see what we have published since April 2007 - is your baby, toddler, family, bump or breastfeeding photo featured in any of them?

12 April 2011

Win Jackson Reece baby wipes...

For a chance to win 1 of 10 prizes of Jackson Reece baby wipes (2 packs of natural and 2 packs of unscented) email
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by 30 April 2011.

Remember to add 'baby wipes' in the subject and to provide your full postal address.

23 March 2011

TIPS Award-winning Best of the best Jackson Reece baby wipes at a Tesco near you!

You can now get these wonderful wipes from all Tesco Extra Stores. Each pack contains 72 soft wipes - choose the natural or unscented variety. You can find your nearest store on the Tesco website here.

I am just back from my local store where I bagged myself a buy one get one free bargain (see picture below) for £2 (that’s only £1 a pack!) .

19 March 2011

March 2011

Check out our e-newsletter 22. This really should be called a magazine because it is so jammed pack full of features including two useful websites: Dirt Devil and Barrett & Coe Portraits.

As well as our regular mix of upcoming events, book review, TIPS top tips, articles, video clip and winning products, we have our first video game review: Peppa Pig Theme Park Fun on Nintendo DS. We also have a delightful new set of photos from TIPS Testers. The new eagerly anticipated My Story is about a parent’s struggle to get the support she needs for her daughter who is showing sign of autistic behaviour. It is written by one of our Parent Testers. Last but not least, we know you will enjoy reading part 5 of our Diary of a Student Midwife.

Remember to check out our 11 (yes 11!) mini-competitions… with a total prize value of over £500! So get your entries in to Brigitte and you could be a winner.

13 January 2011

Beautiful 2011 Weleda calendars to win!

We have 50 calendars to giveaway to early bird TIPS mums and dads who email their name and address to
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(please add TIPS calendar in the subject line) by 14 February 2011

Weleda, the original green pioneer, was originally founded in Switzerland in 1921 and is celebrating 90 Years of natural, ethical and sustainable health and beauty this year. To mark this tremendous milestone, Weleda have produced a stunning anniversary calendar for 2011, with beautiful photographs of some of the plants and raw ingredients used in its bestselling products.

Each page of the calendar has an inspirational image by Michel Peukert, a renowned international photographer - a delicate rose, a sprig of lavender, and other aromatic and colourful herbs and crops. Each page also features a stakeholder from each of the 12 countries where Weleda has a base (Sharon is representing the UK as Miss November! – see picture).

Weleda has the largest medicinal gardens worldwide, and grows over 300 species using the strictest of organic methods (following Demeter certified biodynamic standards), including 15 beautiful acres in Derbyshire which are cultivated as ‘near nature’ as possible, to encourage biodiversity. Additionally Weleda work with fair trade farmers around the world growing plants for them, sharing nine decades of expertise and organic know-how, and protecting and developing these farming communities with respect for the environment and people.

Overleaf for each month of the calendar you’ll find fascinating information about each plant and its cultivation, and some of the people involved in the projects. There is also a star chart for each month, so that you can enjoy the night’s sky through the year. A work of art to brighten up any space, home or work, the calendar is worth £7.95.

For more information on the TIPS Award winning Weleda range go to www.weleda.co.uk

January 2011

Halos N Horns New Year giveaway!

To celebrate the launch of two new products, Halos N Horns have kindly donated5 gift sets for members of the TIPS online community. Each gift set has 7 Halos N Horns products:

Winning one of these fabulous gift sets couldn't be easier: just email
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by 28 February 2011 (remember to give your full postal address in the message). The draw will take place on 1 March and we will contact the lucky winners soon after.

You can find out more about the new Halos N Horns Baby Lotion and Gentle Bubble Bath & Body Wash in their press release here....

Good luck, and very best wishes for 2011!

For a chance to win 1 of 3 gift sets with Concentrated Night-time Stretch Mark Serum, Care and Soothe Balm for Mummy and Baby plus Top to Toe Lotion for Baby email the words ‘Organic at Heart’ to
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by midnight on 29 October 2011. We will contact the winners at the beginning of November.